Detective honored for uncovering wheelchair ramp theft scheme

A detective who uncovered a scrap metal theft scheme in Orange County was honored Wednesday.

Det. Geoff Fahringer received a certificate of recognition for his work in cracking the case. The Sheriff's Office Fahringer recovered scrap yard receipts, scoured the district's inventory and came up with the staggering numbers of 108,000 pounds of aluminum stolen.

The aluminum wheelchair ramps were being stored at an Orange County School District storage facility on John Young Parkway.

The suspects are accused of selling the scrap for $43,000.

"When we have a case like this to recover the amount we did, find the guys who did it and put them in jail. It's definitely a victory for us," said Fahringer.

In November, Superintendent of Schools Barbara Jenkins assured WESH 2 changes were coming to how the metal was stored.

A spokeswoman said patrols have increased at the supply facility on John Young Parkway, gate access times have been minimized to ensure only those who belong can get in and surplus metals are now in a secure interior area.in view of staff.

They said no more thefts have happened since.

The district says it also plans to be more aggressive about recycling surplus metal to ensure it won't become a target for thieves.

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